National Pineapple Upside-Down Cake Day celebrates a beloved dessert featuring caramelized pineapple rings and cherries atop a moist yellow cake. This delightful treat combines tropical flavors with classic baking techniques.
Quick Facts
When is it?: April 20th annually
Tagged as: Food Holiday, Dessert Day
What’s the hashtag?: #PineappleUpsideDownCakeDay
When was it founded?: Unknown
Who founded it?: Origins unclear
History
The cake’s origins trace back to the early 1900s when Dole (then Hawaiian Pineapple Company) popularized canned pineapples in America. The recipe gained significant popularity in 1925 when the Hawaiian Pineapple Company sponsored a contest, receiving over 2,500 pineapple upside-down cake recipe submissions. Mrs. Robert Davis from Norfolk, Virginia, won the contest, helping establish this dessert as an American classic.
Timeline
- 1901: First commercial pineapple crop established in Hawaii
- 1920s: First documented pineapple upside-down cake recipe appears
- 1925: Hawaiian Pineapple Company contest popularizes the recipe
- 1926: Publication of winning recipes in a cookbook
Dates by Next Year
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | April 20 | Sunday |
| 2026 | April 20 | Monday |
| 2027 | April 20 | Tuesday |
| 2028 | April 20 | Thursday |
| 2029 | April 20 | Friday |
How It’s Observed
People celebrate by baking and sharing the classic dessert, hosting themed parties, and trying various recipe variations. Many bakeries offer special deals, and social media fills with photos of homemade creations.
Fun Facts About Pineapple Upside-Down Cake
- Originally called “spider cakes” due to being baked in spider-legged skillets
- Can be made in individual ramekins for personal servings
- Pineapple symbolizes hospitality in many cultures
- The cake can be enhanced with rum for extra tropical flavor
Quiz
- When was the first commercial pineapple crop established in Hawaii?
- Who won the 1925 Hawaiian Pineapple Company contest?
- What was the original name for upside-down cakes?
-(Answers: 1901, Mrs. Robert Davis, Spider cakes)
FAQs
Q: Can I make it in a cast-iron skillet?
A: Yes, it’s traditionally made in cast-iron skillets.
Q: Can I use fresh pineapple?
A: Yes, both fresh and canned pineapple work well.
Importance of the Day
This celebration preserves an important piece of American culinary history while encouraging home baking and sharing of traditional recipes across generations.
Related Days
- National Cake Day
- National Dessert Day
- National Cherry Day
- National Baking Day
- National Tropical Food Day